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"The Wall" snare drum

Posts: 10 Threads: 1

This is not very suitable for Vintage drum forum, but I've just finished this project and just couldn't resist sharing here :)

[img]http://www.bruczkowski.com/~publicfoto/TheWall1.jpg[/img]

I came up with the design, then a friend made the raw 13x5 shell from 6mm thick Corian. Yes, the DuPont material used for... kitchen countertops! Some high-end drum makers (e.g. Ford) have successfully used it for excellent sounding snare drums, so I thought I'd give it a try. I drilled the raw shell and bought some BCOB (Black Chrome Over Brass) lugs and die-cast hoops. Then I came up with the graphics concept. The artwork was air-brushed on by Mr Drozd of Aerograf - Drozd Design Airbrush Studio, a company that does beautiful custom paint jobs on bike helmets, chopper gas tans, etc. I've just finished the assembly and here are the results:

[img]http://www.bruczkowski.com/~publicfoto/TheWall4.jpg[/img]

Note there are TWO snare strainers, one on each side. The reasons I did it like that:

1. I can reach from either side to disengage the snare, also I can chose which graphic will face me and which one the audience

2. When I disengage BOTH strainers, the snare wires drop really low and never buzz on loud hits (a problem with many snares)

3. I can center the snare wire on the bottom head very precisely

4. These are inexpensive Pearl snare strainers and they sell without the butt end (which costs extra)

[img]http://www.bruczkowski.com/~publicfoto/TheWall2.jpg[/img]

My friend who makes those shells did a fantastic job - it's perfectly round and the bearing edges are the smoothest and most even I have ever seen. We kind of steered towards Ludwig type bearing edge, because Corian, sound-wise, is somewhere between acrylic and aluminum shells (in fact, Corian is a mix of acrylic polymer and aluminum oxide). But for the snare beds I chose narrow, but rather deep beds, which gives this drum good sensitivity (not sure if it also won't cause too much snare buzz - we'll see).

[img]http://www.bruczkowski.com/~publicfoto/TheWall3.jpg[/img]

If anyone is interested in how to make your own Corian snare drum, I'll be happy to help and share what I've learned building my drums. OK, it's hardly vintage, but in 50 years it will be! :)

Marcin Bruczkowski

www.marcin.bruczkowski.com

Posted on 12 years ago
#1
Posts: 812 Threads: 53

It's really cool...I like it!

Gary G.
1963 Ludwig Gold Sparkle Hollywood Kit
Ludwig Collection: 10 Vintage Snare Drums, 4 Customized Vintage Snare Drums, 4 Vintage Foot Pedals, 1 Single Value Bugle
Posted on 12 years ago
#2
Posts: 5356 Threads: 87

WOW~!!!! By far the coolest snare I have sen in a long time. Graphics are way cool and overall design a big hit in my book. Do you have pics of the bearing edges and inside the shell? I'd love to see them. And BTW great idea on 2 strainers. Beautiful drum, excellent work. Clapping Happy2

Glenn.

Not a guru just havin fun with some old dusty drums.
Posted on 12 years ago
#3
Posts: 2251 Threads: 381

What a beautiful custom drum! I have never seen anything like that! Fantastic!

Brian

Just a drummer who loves all things about vintage drums! Nothing more, nothing less.
Posted on 12 years ago
#4
Posts: 2115 Threads: 26

Corian drum shell? That is a fascinating idea. Very cool snare with or without the really slick graphics. I too would love to see the interior of this snare.

tnsquint
Very proud owner of a new Blaemire Snare 6.5 x 14 made by Jerry Jenkins "Drumjinx"
Posted on 12 years ago
#5
Posts: 1311 Threads: 9

That's just stunning.Beautiful work..but what's it sound like?Cool1

Steve B

Posted on 12 years ago
#6
Posts: 730 Threads: 61

Careful with that axe, Eugene. Nice work!

9x Slingerland New Rock 50N 12-13-16-22 with 170 (Super S-O-M) holder
• 1979 Oak
• 1978 Blakrome + 6.5x14 TDR SD
• 1977 Black Diamond Pearl + 5x14 SD (gold badge, Rapid strainer)
• 1976 Black Cordova
• 1975 Silver Sparkle + 5x14 SD (Rapid strainer)
• 1974 Chrome + 5x14 COB TDR and 6.5x14 COW Zoomatic SDs
• 1973 Purple Sparkle
• 1973 Phantom (clear)
• 1971 Walnut (gold badges) + 5x14 TDR SD
1x Rogers Powertone Londoner V 12-13-16-22
• 1972 Butcher Block + 1979 big R Dynasonic SD
Posted on 12 years ago
#7
Posts: 6432 Threads: 290

Yes , agree with all of the above. Very,very cool! I need to speak with my countertop fabricator!

Jeff C


Thank you!
Jeff C

"Enjoy every sandwich" Warren Zevon
Posted on 12 years ago
#8
Posts: 10 Threads: 1

From FFR428

WOW~!!!! By far the coolest snare I have sen in a long time. Graphics are way cool and overall design a big hit in my book. Do you have pics of the bearing edges and inside the shell? I'd love to see them. And BTW great idea on 2 strainers. Beautiful drum, excellent work. Clapping Happy2

Thank you! I chose a rather steep cut for the bearing edge although the area of contact with the shell is a little round; I was aiming for the natural curve of a Ludwig Acrolyte, since Corian has a somewhat similar sound characteristic to aluminium (with a touch of acrylic). This is what the shell looked like before drilling:

[img]http://www.bruczkowski.com/~publicfoto/White_shell.jpg[/img]

I also ordered a larger (14x5.5) shell from thicker (12mm) black Corian with silver speckles, it looks like this:

[img]http://www.bruczkowski.com/~publicfoto/Black_shell.jpg[/img]

Here's what the shells looke dlike after I drilled them and installed the hardware:

[img]http://www.bruczkowski.com/~publicfoto/Werble.jpg[/img]

As you can see, the black snare got single flange hoops (COB). For some reason thin, brass hoops work nicely with a thick shell and the thin shell likes the die-cast hoops. On the black shell you can also see the snare bed - I opted for narrow, but rather deep bed, Yamaha-style. I may widen them a bit if I experience too much buzz.

You may also notice that the snare strainers are installed quite high on the shell, this is to produce a steeper angle between the snare tape (or strings) and the edge of the hoop, which in my experience shortens the snare response.

:)

Marcin Bruczkowski

www.marcin.bruczkowski.com

Posted on 12 years ago
#9
Posts: 10 Threads: 1

From tamadrm

That's just stunning.Beautiful work..but what's it sound like?

Thanks, that's very encouraging! I will post some samples here in December, I'll be recording a demo of my band then, and just now I'm so swamped with work I forget what my name is... I'm a writer and I have a deadline for my 5th novel in May '13, I only wrote 5 chapters out of 13 so far, I'm in a bit of panic... Eye Ball Need to really focus on writing if I'm to meet the publisher's deadline.

PS. Thanks everyone for those very encouraging and motivating posts, I feel bad I haven't been contributing to this forum much, although I often read new posts; it is one of the most informative, enthusiastic, friendly and lively fora I've ever had the pleasure to participate in. So far I only managed to sell some members on the idea of the Ikea display cabinet as a snare rack, but I hope to contribute more in future :)

Marcin Bruczkowski

www.marcin.bruczkowski.com

Posted on 12 years ago
#10
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